The elections that took place in November 2008 provided historical opportunities for change in many areas of social and political concern. While the Presidential race was consuming the majority of news coverage, another election in California was also recognized as having national importance and interest. Proposition 8 was a ballot referendum that asked California voters to answer, “Should the California constitution be changed to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry, providing that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in California?” (“Vote could put end to same-sex marriage” 1). Voters answering “yes” would be against gay marriage, while voters answering “no” would be for gay marriage. This subject is extremely controversial and one of current national attention. The results of the vote on “Prop 8” could influence future federal decisions, or encourage other states to make similar changes. Both the support and opposition sides for Prop 8 launched passionate campaigns to influence the vote. The events before, the events after and the arguments of both sides were followed by many media across the country and the world. I will examine the news coverage on Proposition 8 found in two major newspapers – the locally- and nationally-read Los Angeles Times and the major newspaper for Ireland, The Irish Times.
[...] The other was from Los Angeles Times writer Mary Engel when Proposition 22 was ruled unconstitutional of same-sex weddings begins in California on day court ruling goes into effect” 1). Two of the stories were written by Staff Writer of The Irish Times Mark Hennessy, one of these reports was filed on October from Los Angeles could put end to same- sex marriage” 1). It became evident to me that Hennessy was a U.S. reporter for the paper, as his next article was filed from Washington on October on reversing gay marriage laws could be carried in California” 1). [...]
[...] Authors Because Proposition 8 was on the California ballot, I guessed correctly that articles on the topic would be written by Los Angeles Times staff members. There were a few different staff members that regularly produced Prop 8 articles. Staff Writer Jessica Garrison wrote or co-wrote eight of the stories. Staff Writer Maura Dolan wrote or co-wrote four stories. Staff Writers Dan Morain and Cara Mia DiMassa contributed to two articles each. Also, contributing once each, were Staff Writers Patrick McGreevy, Richard C. [...]
[...] on 8 lead is eroding in poll.” Los Angeles Times 23 Oct Home Edition: A1. Lexis-Nexis Academic Nov < http: clinkind="true&risb=21_T5327653163&format=GNBFI&sort=RELEVANCE&startDocNo=51&" resultsurlkey="29_T5327653166&cisb=22_T5327653165&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&cs" i="306910&docNo=51"> Garrison, Jessica, and Maura Dolan. “Justices will hear Prop challenges.” Los Angeles Times 20 Nov Home Edition: A1. Lexis-Nexis Academic.5 Dec < http: clinkind="true&risb=21_T5327653163&format=GNBFI&sort=RELEVANCE&startDocNo=76&" resultsurlkey="29_T5327653166&cisb=22_T5327653165&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&cs" i="306910&docNo=91"> Garrison, Jessica and Dan Morain. “Voters warm to gay marriage.” Los Angeles Times 19 Jul Home Edition: B4. Lexis-Nexis Academic Dec < http: clinkind="true&risb=21_T5327653163&format=GNBFI&sort=RELEVANCE&startDocNo=26&" resultsurlkey="29_T5327653166&cisb=22_T5327653165&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&cs" i="306910&docNo=43"> Hennessy, Mark. “Vote could put end to same-sex marriage.” The Irish Times 21 Oct. [...]
[...] I also looked at three editorials regarding Prop 8 that ran in the months of July, October and November in the Los Angeles Times. In The Irish Times I looked at two editorials, one from July of 2007 and one from January of 2008. The first was regarding the process of democracy involving propositions on ballots in the U.S., and the second was regarding whether or not the state should sanction gay marriage. These editorials suggest to me that gay marriage is an important topic to the Irish, but that Prop 8 was not important enough to warrant more recent editorials on the subject. [...]
[...] Background In March of 2000, California voters were asked to vote on Proposition 22, which, if passed, would change state law specify that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in the California” (“Proposition 8 Title and Summary” 1). This measure was passed with 61% of the vote (“Voters warm to gay marriage,” 1). However, in May of 2008, the California State Supreme Court ruled that Proposition 22's resulting legislature was against that State Constitution's equal protection clause, and it was said that “individuals of the same sex have the right to marry” (“Proposition 8 Title and Summary” 1). [...]
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